-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Activision/Bungie game revealed by court (4 MMO sci-fantasy FPSs, more) [OP Updated]
- Thread starter V_Ben
- Start date
Seeing as how the contract is set for ten years, main games and DLC included it will be a long time before we see that project.
If Activision hypothetically wanted to port one of the games to another platform, they first have to see if Bungie wants to handle the development. If not, they then can turn around and develop it internally at Activision, or hire out a Bungie-approved third party to do it. Interestingly, Valve, Gearbox, and Epic Games were specifically named in the contract as not considered by Bungie to be acceptable developers (unless Activision should obtain a whole or majority-stake in those companies).
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Not really. Reviews are supposed to be guides, informing would-be buyers what they might be getting into. They can deter people from picking up a game, but the onus is still on the person buying said game. We simply provide information and opinions.
A score on the other hand is completely binary. It is what it is, and based on contracts like this it will either meet the publisher's requirements or it wont. There's no in-between, no gauge of opinions, nor any substance to the words written or the actions made by the consumer. It's just one stupid little arbitrary number, a number that decides whether or not hard working people in a creative industry receive a bonus.
It's stupid, disconnected and puts a ridiculously unnecessary pressure on the person writing the review. And it's a perfect example of text in reviews not mattering, only the score, and it being entirely the fault of the publisher.
Wtf? Fuck you bungie!If Activision hypothetically wanted to port one of the games to another platform, they first have to see if Bungie wants to handle the development. If not, they then can turn around and develop it internally at Activision, or hire out a Bungie-approved third party to do it. Interestingly, Valve, Gearbox, and Epic Games were specifically named in the contract as not considered by Bungie to be acceptable developers (unless Activision should obtain a whole or majority-stake in those companies).
Glass Rebel
Member
If Activision hypothetically wanted to port one of the games to another platform, they first have to see if Bungie wants to handle the development. If not, they then can turn around and develop it internally at Activision, or hire out a Bungie-approved third party to do it. Interestingly, Valve, Gearbox, and Epic Games were specifically named in the contract as not considered by Bungie to be acceptable developers (unless Activision should obtain a whole or majority-stake in those companies).
That's hilarious. As if Valve or Epic would bother with ports of other companies' games. Even Gearbox has better stuff to do.
You should stop reviewing games then.
MagicWithEarvin
Member
Does anyone else think this whole contract will go to shit during the development years?
My thoughts while reading this thread. This is amazing.
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
Idk not surprised but I'm not expecting it. They just have to establish the franchise and brand and make a badass game.
I'm really curious about the aesthetic. That's the most important thing here. Given the genre and setting I don't expect anything too novel, so it's really going to be all about the games style.
I'm really curious about the aesthetic. That's the most important thing here. Given the genre and setting I don't expect anything too novel, so it's really going to be all about the games style.
Maybe he should, Valve could learn about good combat design in the process.
oh you!
Bobs Big Boy
Member
This sounds fantastic, both Marathon & Destiny. I love me some Bungie games.
I take it Fall 2013 means Call of Duty is going to every other year now. Good news for that franchise also and videogames in general if true.
I take it Fall 2013 means Call of Duty is going to every other year now. Good news for that franchise also and videogames in general if true.
one of the reasons RPS reviews have no scores.
RobotChant
Member
I'm not criticizing either party. I'm just curious why such a lucrative partnership would be dissolved after reading these documents. It doesn't seem like Bungie is adversed to being tied down to an IP for years and MS still has interest in what Bungie can do. Halo was moved to another studio, so why didn't Bungie just stay with MSG and make this new game and others.
Glass Rebel
Member
you're on a roll lately, aren't you
the guy has been a Valve hater for years. I mean if he wasn't so blatant with it we could start taking his opinion on the subject seriously.
Blue Ninja
Member
I'm holding out a tiny sliver of hope... But fuck, under Activision, I'm pretty sure they'll be making exactly what I don't want.
This, sadly, is the truth. I don't think there's any current third-party game out there that didn't have something exactly like that clause in its development contract.
Well, if Destiny doesn't sell, Activision will be backing out of there quicker than this guy:
343 Industries was created specifically to continue the Halo franchise after Bungie left. If Bungie would have stayed, they would still be making them.
I guess from the outside looking in, people may perceive this deal as bad, but look at the potential royalties. If this franchise takes off and becomes another Halo or a WoW (I know) Bungie is going to make tens of millions of dollars for years on end. Everything seems like a shit deal until things begin to take off.
Blue Ninja
Member
Yeah, seems the most likely. Bungie tried shopping their new ideas to Microsoft, but Microsoft only wanted them to make more Halo. 343 was formed and, after its contract was fulfilled, Bungie split.
... Only to go to Activision. Seems like a lapse in judgment, but oh well.
Activision apparently offered the best contract, EA commented on their negotiations with Bungie that they'd demanded too much and it was not feasible for EA.
No one is disputing that this could make Bungie a ton of money. The problem I think people have is that Bungie risks being creatively bankrupt over this as the contract seems very rigid.
What the fuck, this sounds terrible. Bungie is a very talented studio, but I don't think they can produce this many AAA games in such a short time. Their team isn't Assassin's Creed (500+) size? Let alone they can do this for 8~ years.
Also a MMO SciFi shooter sounds extremelly lame to me. I'd much rather see a non-MMO.
Also a MMO SciFi shooter sounds extremelly lame to me. I'd much rather see a non-MMO.
j0hnny_385
Member
I'm okay with this. Seriously. I adore Bungie and wish them the very best. They could have gone anywhere, but they went with ATVI. Why? I don't know and none of us do but it seems they have a sweet deal. That's a potential 400 MILLION DOLLAR payout. I trust them and I believe they made a right deal for themselves whether we like it or not (common consensus is that ATVI is Place Of Pure Evil(R), right?).
This Destiny project is something I'm really looking forward to. I trust Bungie. Simple as that. Other things will take care of themselves...
Btw, when I read Gamerankings in the deal and not Metacritic, I chuckled.
Crappy term, btw. Connecting the bonus to a fucking score. We all know that worked out perfectly before.
This Destiny project is something I'm really looking forward to. I trust Bungie. Simple as that. Other things will take care of themselves...
Btw, when I read Gamerankings in the deal and not Metacritic, I chuckled.
Crappy term, btw. Connecting the bonus to a fucking score. We all know that worked out perfectly before.REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
Combat in Half-Life 2 games was mostly shit, though, unlike the first Half-Life which was great at the time. I haven't played their multiplayer games so I can't really comment on that.
a ridiculous and untrue statement.
I'm okay with this. Seriously. I adore Bungie and wish them the very best. They could have gone anywhere, but they went with ATVI. Why? I don't know and none of us do but it seems they have a sweet deal. That's a potential 400 MILLION DOLLAR payout. I trust them and I believe they made a right deal for themselves whether we like it or not (common consensus is that ATVI is Place Of Pure Evil(R), right?).
This Destiny project is something I'm really looking forward to. I trust Bungie. Simple as that. Other things will take care of themselves...
Btw, when I read Gamerankings in the deal and not Metacritic, I chuckled.
They're going to get royalties regardless of scores. The higher the sales, the higher their share which is the biggest motivator to make a high quality game that people like and buy (not some jaded reviewer monkeys).
I don't blame them. Bungie got IP ownership and 50M + marketing costs for their new IP. Don't understand why people think this is a bad deal because to me this sounds like Bungie robbed Activision.
REMEMBER CITADEL
Banned
It had its moments, like gravity gun antics in Ravenholm, but gunplay and AI were just subpar compared to something like Halo or F.E.A.R.
Don't get me wrong, I adore Half-Life 2 and I would probably rate it higher than any other FPS, but combat was not one of its strong points.
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
After Halo I'd hope they'd do something different.
Shame.
Shame.
No.Bungie needs regular releases to have an engine capable of holding its own against the onslaught of good looking FPSs.
"Game +DLC + AddOn+ DLC" is an opportunity to vastly and rapidly enrich this new Universe.
We have no idea how things will be when Game 2 replaces Game 1 and the contract suggests Bungie & Activision speculate the retail model won't be able to offer everything the digital one can offer.
Think Game 1 + additional contents moving into Game 2 in some ways or forms which gives the milking a sweet taste of growing the Universe in which you play years after years.
j0hnny_385
Member
oh for fuck sakes, stop it already. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT ARE THEY WORKING ON.
Valve makes HL1 and everyone says: "oh fuck, another shooter, -rolleyes-, we have Quake and UT"?
Just because it's a shooter doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Maybe they'll bring the next leap in that genre? Maybe they won't, but the game will still be awesome? Maybe it'll be crap. WE DON'T KNOW. Just give them a chance to make something. Don't bury them immediately just because "it's like Halo".
Glass Rebel
Member
I have yet to see a good definition for gunplay. Oh wait, there is none because it means jack shit.
Halo is a fantastic series with great encounters but there's no reason to shit on HL2, especially not after the Hunters in Ep2.
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
Difference in your analogy is Valve make amazing first person shooters which I want more of. Halo is vastly overrated, however I can see the talent at Bungie. I'd hope they'd put their talent into something that wasn't yet another sci-fi FPS.
Maybe it will be amazing, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Hunters were well animated and interesting from an art perspective; but they were just fast damage sponges; hardly the apex of sophisticated enemy design in shooters.
They were also fundamentally broken because they were so easy to kill in the car.
Half-Life has incredible narrative presentation, original art design, clever puzzles, and amazing environments - but as a shooter it really isn't anything special. But that's fine, because it's not just a shooter. It can afford to be a little behind the curve in that department.
Q
Queen of Hunting
Unconfirmed Member
Activision can terminate the contract without penalty if Destiny doesn't sell at least 5 million units in the first six months, or for any reason they please after the second expansion pack releases.
anyone else think they did this after the whole cod fiasco ?
anyone else think they did this after the whole cod fiasco ?
In the mid 90s nearly every FPS was set in a scifi/futuristic setting, but nowadays we are getting very few of those and even fewer notable ones, so if Bungie can deliver a new one as good as Halo or better I'll be extremely happy.
Valve drones are the worst.
They did it to prevent being saddled with something that doesn’t make money. If they didn’t include it, they would still have to pay according to the contract.
IW is an internal studios, so no need to put that in the contract.
j0hnny_385
Member
Agreed.
And there. With that I mind I can understand your viewpoint. I myself think Halo is amazing and Bungie guys are one of my top devs. That's why I have complete faith in this project.
Why do people have a problem with Metacritic/GR bonuses? It's probably the fairest way for Bungie to be measured. How else should they do it? Arbitrator? Let Kotick decide?
It's results based compensation. I know yall hate metacritic and the critics aggregated on the site are all shit (notably the blogs and IGN), but it's the fairest way I can think of.
It's results based compensation. I know yall hate metacritic and the critics aggregated on the site are all shit (notably the blogs and IGN), but it's the fairest way I can think of.